Choosing a field of interest.

[h.vasilev]

HI again.

Sorry for writing two consecutive topics in a row, but you guys look like the only ones who can help me right now with my questions and dilemmas.

I'm having a hard time choosing a field of interest (a.k.a - what i want to do with my life) and i would like to ask you guys for help or some directions.

1st area of interest) Network Administration. I have a CCNA certificate since i was 16 years old, but i never actually had the motivation and time to get the CCNP. I have two years of professional experience in the field. In my opinion if i graduate some CS MSc, then take the CCNP in some years, and then for the rest of my younght reach for the CCNE, will pretty much determine my life. I have no idea why, but i consider this scenario really boring.

2nd area of interest) .NET developer. I have two MCTS certificates: Windows Forms 3.5 and ASP.NET 3.5 + another one for SQL Server ( nothing fancy ). I have two years of professional experience in the field. In my opinion if i graduate some CS MSc and then just work in the that field, developing corporate applications and just be another developer in the big-ass team, is going to be hella boring and in some point of time in my life i'm gonna commit a suicide.

3rd area of interest) Embedded systems. I have no certificates there, i have no work experience, it's just a little hobby i have creating thermometers and stuff ( really simple stuff ). "It looks cool" from my point of view, but i really don't think i have the necessary knowledge to decide.

4th area of interest) Artificial intelligence. This semester was the first one that i actually took such a course. It looks interesting, but not "super interesting". Actually maybe i want to combine it with the 5th area of interest.

5th area of interest) Entertainment and game development. No certificates, no work experience , but childhood dream! That was the actual reason i started learning about computers, and in my free time i was a Warcraft 3 progamer for a really long period of time. To be hones i want to be a game developer... i want to write game engines. Deeply in my heart i really don't care how hard it is and how much it takes to be a game dev in companies like Blizzard Entertainment or Valve.The bad thing is it is REALLLY hard to get in those companies even as an intern. So please help me out here!!!!

From here : http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/careers/university.html, i'm given to understand that company has university relations with the following universities:

(1)Stanford

(2)Savannah College of Art & Design

(3)Harvey Mudd College

(4)UC, Los Angeles

(5)UC, Irvine

(6)Cal Poly Pomona

(7)USC

(8)DigiPen

(9)UC, San Diego

My most probable results will be:

I'm an international student.

GPA: 3.5 / 4 ( GPA from the last two years: 4.0 / 4.0 )

GRE: 650V 800Q 3.5W

TOEFL: 114/120

LoRs: two professors and the dean.

SoP: i think i can write a strong one.

Cartificates, diplomas, work experience and undergraduate thesis (that's why i was asking in the previous topic ... lol )

I know that i have no shot at universities like Stanford, but i would like to ask you if i have any chances, with these results, in any of the other universities. I'm especially interested in (4), (5), (7), (8), (9). Which program do you thin is best for my interest? Should i try to become a game dev or should i try some safe areas of interest ?

Take care, Hris.

[Amogh]

HI again.

Sorry for writing two consecutive topics in a row, but you guys look like the only ones who can help me right now with my questions and dilemmas.

I'm having a hard time choosing a field of interest (a.k.a - what i want to do with my life) and i would like to ask you guys for help or some directions.

1st area of interest) Network Administration. I have a CCNA certificate since i was 16 years old, but i never actually had the motivation and time to get the CCNP. I have two years of professional experience in the field. In my opinion if i graduate some CS MSc, then take the CCNP in some years, and then for the rest of my younght reach for the CCNE, will pretty much determine my life. I have no idea why, but i consider this scenario really boring.

2nd area of interest) .NET developer. I have two MCTS certificates: Windows Forms 3.5 and ASP.NET 3.5 + another one for SQL Server ( nothing fancy ). I have two years of professional experience in the field. In my opinion if i graduate some CS MSc and then just work in the that field, developing corporate applications and just be another developer in the big-ass team, is going to be hella boring and in some point of time in my life i'm gonna commit a suicide.

3rd area of interest) Embedded systems. I have no certificates there, i have no work experience, it's just a little hobby i have creating thermometers and stuff ( really simple stuff ). "It looks cool" from my point of view, but i really don't think i have the necessary knowledge to decide.

4th area of interest) Artificial intelligence. This semester was the first one that i actually took such a course. It looks interesting, but not "super interesting". Actually maybe i want to combine it with the 5th area of interest.

5th area of interest) Entertainment and game development. No certificates, no work experience , but childhood dream! That was the actual reason i started learning about computers, and in my free time i was a Warcraft 3 progamer for a really long period of time. To be hones i want to be a game developer... i want to write game engines. Deeply in my heart i really don't care how hard it is and how much it takes to be a game dev in companies like Blizzard Entertainment or Valve.The bad thing is it is REALLLY hard to get in those companies even as an intern. So please help me out here!!!!

From here : http://us.blizzard.c...university.html, i'm given to understand that company has university relations with the following universities:

(1)Stanford

(2)Savannah College of Art & Design

(3)Harvey Mudd College

(4)UC, Los Angeles

(5)UC, Irvine

(6)Cal Poly Pomona

(7)USC

(8)DigiPen

(9)UC, San Diego

My most probable results will be:

I'm an international student.

GPA: 3.5 / 4 ( GPA from the last two years: 4.0 / 4.0 )

GRE: 650V 800Q 3.5W

TOEFL: 114/120

LoRs: two professors and the dean.

SoP: i think i can write a strong one.

Cartificates, diplomas, work experience and undergraduate thesis (that's why i was asking in the previous topic ... lol )

I know that i have no shot at universities like Stanford, but i would like to ask you if i have any chances, with these results, in any of the other universities. I'm especially interested in (4), (5), (7), (8), (9). Which program do you thin is best for my interest? Should i try to become a game dev or should i try some safe areas of interest ?

Take care, Hris.

Well your general profile seems good enough for getting into ms at most of those colleges you mentioned. You should easily be able to get into 4 5 7 and 9. dont waste your time wit 8. not worth it as even the industry has a hard time understanding how to treat digipen grads. why not look at The GuildHall at smu? if your interested in game dev, understand that it doesnt pay as well as regular software eng jobs. but if that is your interest, the satisfaction is insane. i suggest you read articles on gamasutra.com and gamedev.net. both very useful sites.

wishing you all the best

amogh

[MoJingly]

I've posted this as a response before, but I think it is actually valid. If nothing else, it might make you smile in your situation.

A PSYCHOLOGICAL TIP - Piet Hein

Whenever you're called on to make up your mind,

and you're hampered by not having any,

the best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find,

is simply by spinning a penny.

No -- not so that chance shall decide the affair

while you're passively standing there moping;

but the moment the penny is up in the air,

you suddenly know what you're hoping.